Guess it was worth a shot, even if it did take him 7-8 years to find out they supposedly based the game on his appearance and story lol.
$250 million GTA: San Andreas lawsuit fails
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Appeals court judge denies supposed Cypress Hill backup singer's claims that Rockstar used his likeness as model for CJ character.
Rockstar Games parent company Take-Two Interactive has won a lawsuit over Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, writes The Hollywood Reporter. An appellate court judge on Wednesday denied supposed Cypress Hill backup singer Michael "Shagg" Washington's claims that Rockstar used his life story and physical appearance as a basis for protagonist Carl "CJ" Johnson. Cypress Hill denies any association with Washington.
Washington sued Take-Two in 2010 for $250 million, alleging that during the course of the game's development, he met with Rockstar to discuss details regarding his former life as a gang member. He even provided the company with a photo of himself and his name appears in the GTA: San Andreas credits.
However, a judge did not find this to be enough, and a California appeals court has concurred. Washington's principal problem was that he could not prove it was his likeness that appeared in San Andreas. The judge said, "Plaintiff is relying entirely on CJ's physical appearance in the game, but that appearance is so generic that it necessarily includes hundreds of other black males."
Additionally, the judge ruled that even if Rockstar did base CJ on Washington, it would have been protected as transformative fair use. This is an argument based on the fact that the First Amendment allows existing materials, including images, to be used so long as they are amended enough for a new purpose.
"Washington has presented no evidence demonstrating that the plot or characters of GTA: San Andreas have any relevance to his life or his purported fame," a statement from the decision reads.
[CORRECTION] According to a tweet from Cypress Hill, Washington is not affiliated with the band. GameSpot regrets the error.
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.
279 comments
Hey look! Another moronic celebrity/musician who have used up all their money and are looking for any way possible to get some back!
1 Like Dumb a$$ gangbangers! Don't you realize that a lot of you come from a similar background of drugs and violence. Why don't you morons just sue each other for subconscious emulation?
Funniest lawsuit EVER!
Did he bring evidence of mass murdering gang members to back up said claims? Brilliant, what a dope.
Much as I totally, totally agree with the ruling, what the judge said was a bit brave wasn't it?
You know, because "they all look the same" as the saying might go..... some people are gonna jump all over that statement, it's inevitable.
I thought CJ was based on the guy that actually voiced him in the game. Young Maylay right?
I once jumped a dirt bike off this really tall mountain with a parachute strapped to my back. Should I sue?
Reminds me of the Simpson's episode when Bart was accused of being head of the Mob. After watching the movie based on it, homer asks "When do we get paid for this?" Marge replies "they said they changed it enough that they don't have to pay us". - probably the same thing here.
2 Like HD remake of GTA SA anyone? I'm very keen for it even though i think it is a pipe dream.
1 Like Maybe if his lawyer had advised him to pursue a more reasonable sum of money? 250 million? c'mon, what a joke.
I neeeeed a dolla, dolla, dolla that's what I need and if I share with you my story , would you share your dolla with me?
He wanted 250 million dollars because he thought the character resembled him and his life? Ok. I think this guy has an ego problem.
1 Like CJ is based on me cus i murder people, lie, cheat, steal, do drugs, and pick up hookers. Where is my millions?
2 Like I started out in the hood, with a bicycle. I sometimes wear a wife-beater, and I love me some hot coffee. Maybe I've got a case too.
1 Like Just another nut trying to scam money out of a huge corporation (a.k.a. business as usual lol). He seriously thought he would win a case like that?.... -_-
1 Like well that is insane in the membrane ;-)
Just herd Samuel L Jackson is suing Rockstar for his likeness to officer Ten Penny in the Game :-D
@LJMStrike Oh how it almost makes you want to kill a man, which is something i can't understand
man, makuch. can you change the title of the article? you're giving cypress hill a bad rep.
This comment has been deleted
oh wow.... forgot to read the last line... whew, thought cypress hill sold the fuck out.
10 Like CJ does kind of look like Shagg, but since they r both walking stereotypes it doesnt matter :D
9 Like Why are rappers so obsessed with gangster crap? Is being a self centered, drug using, and killing for stupid sh*t that 5 year olds call honor (basiclly a gangster) really something to be proud of?
2 Like @Skyrim25 if you honestly think all rappers are about the gangster culture then you need to get out more. Basing your opinion on a small group makes you look ignorant, what rapper have you ever heard of condoning killing kids and doing drugs ?? nearly ALL rappers regardless of lyrics are against harming others. Just because they rap about the REAL world doesnt make them wrong, there are crack addicts, meth addicts, heroine addicts, and every type of addict that exist in the real world, just because you choose too pretend its not there doesnt make it so. You cannot fault rappers for using crime based lyrics, especially if that what sells to young whites, latins, asians, and blacks. They are in the business of making money, in case you haven't noticed, drama, violence, crime, etc sells. The most watched shows on television, walking dead, sons of anarchy, boardwalk empire, and breaking bad have more killing and crime than any rap song. All of those shows have little black presence, but they sell because people of today. People who think like you are luckily dying out, just because its not your cup of tea doesn't make it stupid shit, it called entertainment for a reason. People look at his/her name for christ sakes lmao, "Skyrim" a game i LOVE but welcomes you with a beheading. Hypocrisy much ??
4 Like @Skyrim25 it's what they grow up next to, do you expect them to go research and drop rhymes about the refined sensibilities of Victorian era Britain? they're writing songs to make money, about harsh lifestyles with very little rules and people taking what they want. they're exploiting all of society's already existing obsession with gangs & crime.
9 Like @Skyrim25 There's a lot that aren't"gangsters" don't stereotype a music genre that you obviously don't listen to
4 Like Rats... I was going to sue them because a character looked like me. Well that blows it then.
1 Like Racist judge and Idiot man who tryng to make easy money, he Tried to use Thughtools to Robe bank but did not worked seems.
Conversation powered by Livefyre
Content you might like…
-
Original Grand Theft Auto 'almost canned'
Then-series developer DMA Design's Gary Penn says top-down title nearly shelved because it was "awful"; GTA: IV life-to-date sales sit at 17 million.
- Feb 1, 2011
Users who looked at this article also looked at these content items.
Hot Stories
Newsmakers
-
Preowned games on Xbox One decided by publisher
Microsoft confirms that it won't charge any fees for any titles eligible for resale. Full Story
- Posted Jun 7, 2013 9:00 am AEST
-
Microsoft confirms required 24-hour check-in for Xbox One
Playing Xbox One games on somebody else's console will also require a check-in every hour. Full Story
- Posted Jun 7, 2013 8:41 am AEST
Featured Stories
-
PlayStation 4 will cost $399
Sony confirms a $399/€399/Ł349 price for the PlayStation 4 hardware, $100 cheaper than Microsoft's Xbox One. Full Story
- Posted Jun 11, 2013 4:19 pm AEST
-
New Halo coming to Xbox One; runs at 60fps
Will be coming in 2014. Full Story
- Posted Jun 11, 2013 4:11 am AEST
-
Del Toro calls BioShock Infinite a 'mindf*ck'
Pan's Labyrinth director praises Ken Levine and Irrational Games for latest BioShock, says he would consider large-scale Pacific Rim game "God willing." Full Story
- Posted Jun 14, 2013 1:53 am AEST
-
Microsoft: Xbox One will be leading product people love and embrace
Xbox boss Don Mattrick believes concerns over connectivity are overblown, recommends Xbox 360 for those without an Internet connection. Full Story
- Posted Jun 12, 2013 10:52 am AEST
-
New Mirror's Edge is open-world
EA Labels boss Frank Gibeau describes new project as "open-world action adventure game." Full Story
- Posted Jun 13, 2013 3:45 am AEST
Submit News
Related Game
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Publisher(s): Rockstar Games
- Developer(s): Rockstar North
- Genre: Action
- Release:
- Classification Board: MA
Recent News
-
Microsoft changing Xbox One policies
Xbox maker does away with all used game restrictions and 24-hour online check-ins; region-locks also no longer in place.
